Pop-up officers are being used by police to target speeding drivers outside schools in Glenrothes.
Road safety concerns have been consistently raised at community engagement meetings. Police say public perceptions of speeding hot spots often do not correlate with the analysis of casualty reduction sites identified.
In response to public demand, police are taking speed enforcement action at more speeding sites identified by residents.
In a new initiative designed to tackle the issues highlighted by members of the public, Glenrothes Community Team have rolled out their “pop up police officer” affectionately known by the officers as “pop-up Jim” a specially-built, life-sized model of one of the team pointing a speed detection gun at oncoming traffic.
This has been deployed on identified roads in response to local concerns expressed at the community engagement meetings. Police say this has gone some way to providing a visible deterrent to speeding and dangerous drivers.
These “pop up police officers” have been rolled out across the Glenrothes area.
Glenrothes Community Sergeant Kenny Greig said: “We have already deployed these signs in our local communities, particularly around schools; however, I would warn motorists that these signs are so authentic that telling the difference between these and a real officer is very difficult.
“Myself and my colleagues will be out with speed detection equipment in these areas so please don’t assume it is a pop up police officer, as it may be a genuine speed check.”
He added: “Community Speedwatch is a traffic monitoring initiative coordinated by Glenrothes Police in partnership with other agencies, but managed and run by local Community Policing teams and volunteers from the local community.
“I am delighted to see our School Speedwatch being initiated in the area, which involves pupils, staff and police being visible with speed detection equipment, raising awareness around our schools.”